PRAIA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) plans to deploy about 100 observers for Cabo Verde's legislative elections scheduled for May 17, according to a statement issued Tuesday by the regional bloc.

ECOWAS said that a team of 20 experts from its member states is already in Cabo Verde and will remain in the country until May 22 to monitor key stages of the electoral process before, during and after the vote.

The statement said the experts will be deployed across the archipelago and that a situation room will be set up to track developments nationwide and issue daily updates ahead of the arrival of the short-term observer mission.

According to ECOWAS, the move reflects its support for the organization of credible, transparent, and peaceful elections in Cabo Verde and its commitment to promoting democracy, good governance, peace, and stability in the region.

ECOWAS said its monitoring of the electoral process began with a pre-election fact-finding mission conducted from March 1 to 8, during which it held meetings with representatives of the government, political parties, the National Election Commission, and civil society groups.

Five political parties are contesting the 72 seats in the National Assembly in the May 17 vote. ■